Ala Moana Bowls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a bit of a frustrating outlook for Ala Moana Bowls. We’re lookin’ at a 16-day window, but the opening days are a write-off. The first week is really a tough one. From September 5th through to the 11th, it’s just not happening. The swell is there, don't get me wrong – we see a pulse of 7 ft from the ENE on the 5th, with a solid 13-second period and some serious energy (2205 combined energy). But the wind is a killer. A fresh 19 mph cross-off breeze is just keeping things messy. Then it gets worse. By the 7th and 8th, it’s onshore and we’re lookin’ at 8 ft from the SW on Tuesday morning – that’s too big for beginners, and with that wind, it's just a washing machine. The water temperature is bang on average for this time of year at 81°.

That first week is a total bust, a solid 7 days of 'don't bother'. But then, things start to change. We get a little window of hope around the 15th and 16th of September. The swell is still up around 7 ft from the ENE, but the period drops to 8 seconds, which isn't ideal, but the wind is a lighter 12 mph cross-off. The energy is still pumping though, with readings over 1000. The caveat here is that short period swell like that doesn't always translate to the best shape at a reef like Ala Moana, and with that size, it's really only for the advanced crew.

Now, if you can hold out, the real standout is on Sunday the 20th of September. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The morning is looking clean, with a gentle 9 mph cross-off breeze. The swell is a more manageable 3 ft from the SSW, and the period is a long 15 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy (734 combined energy). That long period is a beauty for a reef like this, it’ll offer up some well-shaped, lined-up waves. The report says "expect very good surf conditions" for that morning, and I’m buying it. The wind is light and glassy, which is a major positive. The afternoon stays decent, too, with a 12 mph cross-off. That Sunday the 20th is the best bet in this whole forecast.

All in all, you gotta be patient. The first week is a write-off. The middle of the second week has some size but it’s a bit short-period and for experts only. But that Sunday the 20th? That’s the one. Get on it.

Rusty.

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